Bahrain's Pearl History: Secrets Of The Kingdom's Trade

Bahrain, a tiny island state neighbouring Qatar, is known as the Mecca of Pearling and has a 4,000-year history of the practice. The nation's coast is home to an abundance of oyster pearl beds, which have been valued since ancient times. In fact, archaeological evidence dating back 6,000 years shows that people in the Arabian Gulf were sometimes buried with a pierced pearl resting in their right hand. Bahrain's pearls are internationally famous for their brilliance, purity, and beauty, and the nation was once the centre of the natural pearl trade.

Bahrain's pearl beds are the world's premier location for natural pearls

Bahrain's pearls are known for their superior quality, with a unique environment created by the convergence of saltwater and fresh natural springs in the Gulf, contributing to the high luster of the pearls. The most excellent pearls, known as "Jiwan", are valued for their consistent shape and excellent luster. The natural pearl trade in Bahrain reached its peak in the early 20th century, with pearls from the region commanding high prices and being sought after by royalty and fashion houses. The decline of the industry began in the 1930s with the advent of cultured pearls and the global economic crisis, but Bahrain remains committed to preserving its pearling heritage and promoting sustainable practices.

The country has taken steps to protect its pearl beds and ensure the sustainability of the industry, with licensed divers carefully gathering oysters by hand and periodic suspensions of diving in certain areas to allow for growth. Bahrain is the only country in the world that regulates pearl diving for tourists, reflecting its commitment to responsible practices. The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT), established in 2017, plays a crucial role in supporting the national plan to revive the pearl sector, offering testing, certification, and education.

Bahrain's pearl beds hold cultural and historical significance, with the Pearling Trail on the island of Muharraq recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 3.5 km trail encompasses oyster beds, residences of wealthy merchants, shops, storehouses, and a fortress, showcasing the social and economic importance of pearling in Bahrain's history. The country's pearling society and architecture, particularly in Muharraq, reflect the unique culture and traditions that developed around the pearl industry.

With its rich history, abundant pearl beds, and ongoing commitment to sustainability, Bahrain's pearl beds rightfully earn their reputation as the world's premier location for natural pearls. The country's natural pearls continue to be sought after for their rarity, beauty, and historical significance, attracting buyers and collectors from around the world.

The country's pearling history dates back to at least the 3rd century BC

Bahrain's pearling history is a long and illustrious one, dating back millennia. The country's ancient past is steeped in the pearl trade, with natural pearls being a symbol of wealth, luxury and glamour.

The history of pearling in Bahrain dates back to at least the 3rd century BC, when the island was known as Dilmun. In the first century AD, the Roman author, naturalist and philosopher Pliny wrote of Tylos (the classical name for Bahrain) and its famous pearl fisheries. Pliny's account is just one of many ancient references to Bahrain's pearls. The natural pearls of Bahrain were renowned for their brilliance, purity and beauty, and were considered superior to those found elsewhere. This reputation for quality is thought to be due to the location of the oyster beds near underwater freshwater springs.

The enduring allure of Bahrain's natural pearls is evident in their depiction in the works of Renaissance masters, where they are used as ornaments in crowns, tiaras, hair adornments and brooches. The pearls were also mentioned in Assyrian texts dating back to 2000 BC, where they were referred to as "fish eyes" from Dilmun. Bahrain's pearling history is so significant that it has been recognised by UNESCO, which has designated a 3.5km trail in Muharraq, known as the "Pearling Path", as a World Heritage Site.

The golden age of pearling in Bahrain was between the 1850s and 1930, when pearls were more precious than diamonds. During this time, the pearling economy in Bahrain was dominated by the city of Muharraq, which was the Gulf's most active and prosperous pearling centre. The pearl trade was a community-wide endeavour, with a vast array of professions serving the industry, from merchants and divers to boat builders and timber merchants. The pearling economy reached its peak in 1911-1912, after which a series of events, including wars, price crashes and the arrival of cheap cultivated pearls, led to its decline and eventual collapse by 1950.

The pearling industry was once the backbone of Bahrain's economy

Bahrain's pearling history dates back to ancient times, with references to the islands' fine pearls found in writings from the first century AD. Pliny, writing in the first century AD, mentions that the pearl fisheries of Tylos, the classical name for Bahrain, were well-known even then. Archaeological evidence also suggests that people in the Arabian Gulf were buried with pierced pearls resting in their right hand as early as 6,000 years ago.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the pearling industry in Bahrain experienced its peak years, with the island nation becoming the regional economic hub for pearling. The city of Muharraq, Bahrain's capital from 1810 to 1923, was the centre of this prosperous pearling trade. It boasted the largest fleet of pearling vessels and the largest number of pearl divers, with virtually the entire city involved in pearling activities or its supply industries.

Pearls from Bahrain were internationally renowned for their brilliance, purity, and beauty, and they were classified according to size, shape, colour, and lustre. The superior quality of Bahraini pearls was believed to be due to the oyster beds being located near underwater sweet water springs, creating a unique environment for pearl growth.

The pearling trade dominated Bahrain's economy, with pearl exports contributing three-quarters of the country's total exports in 1877. Most of these exports were destined for Bombay, Persia, and Turkey, but by the turn of the century, Europe emerged as a major direct market. The value of Bahrain's pearl exports increased sixfold between 1900 and 1912, attracting merchants from Paris, London, and New York, all vying for the finest pearls.

The pearling industry in Bahrain was a community-wide endeavour, involving merchants, divers, captains, boat builders, timber merchants, and suppliers. However, the industry began to decline in the 1930s due to a series of events, including the arrival of cheap cultivated pearls, the Wall Street crash, and riots by divers over lost income. By 1950, the industry had collapsed, and Bahrain's economy shifted towards oil exploitation.

The natural pearl trade crashed in the 1930s due to the Great Depression and the advent of cultured pearls

Bahrain's pearling history is a long and illustrious one. The islands of Bahrain have been associated with fine pearls since ancient times, with writings from the first century AD mentioning the pearl fisheries of Tylos (the classical name for Bahrain). The pearl fisheries of Bahrain were well-known and revered when it was the seat of ancient Dilmun (late fourth millennium to 800 BC), and this reputation continued throughout history. The natural pearls of Bahrain were internationally famous for their brilliance, purity, and beauty, with their value recorded in special logbooks.

However, the natural pearl trade in Bahrain and other countries in the region crashed in the 1930s due to a combination of factors, including the Great Depression and the advent of cultured pearls. The Great Depression reduced the demand for luxury goods like pearls and made it difficult to get good prices for them. At the same time, the invention of cultured pearls dealt a significant blow to the natural pearl industry. The advent of cultured pearls, which could be produced with more predictable quality and quantity, made natural pearl diving less economically viable.

The decline of the natural pearl trade in Bahrain was also influenced by over-harvesting, which had severely depleted the oyster beds by the 1930s. This led to strict regulations and even bans on pearl harvesting in some countries. Additionally, the discovery of oil and gas resources in Bahrain provided an alternative economic avenue, further contributing to the decline of the pearling industry.

By the 1950s, the dependency on pearls in Bahrain and other countries in the region had been largely replaced by a dependency on oil, with the oil industry becoming the dominant economic trade. Today, pearl diving has been largely supplanted by cultured pearl farms, and the natural pearl trade has never recovered its former glory.

Bahrain is the only country in the world that regulates pearl diving for tourists

Bahrain has been recognised as the world's pearl capital, and it is the only country in the world that regulates pearl diving for tourists. The country has a 4,000-year history of pearling, with references to the industry dating back to the first century AD. Pliny, writing in the first century AD, mentions that the pearl fisheries of Tylos, the classical name for Bahrain, were well-known. The Bahraini pearls were internationally famous for their brilliance, purity, and beauty, and they were classified according to size, shape, colour, and lustre.

The Bahrain Pearling Path, also known as the "Pearling Path," is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases the country's rich pearling history. It consists of three oyster beds in the northern waters of Bahrain, a segment of the coast, and the Bu Mahir fort in the southern tip of Muharraq Island. The site also includes 17 buildings related to the pearl industry, such as the residences and majlises of pearl merchants, traders, and divers, trade establishments, and storage houses.

The pearling industry in Bahrain reached its peak in the 1910s, with pearl exports contributing three-quarters of the country's total exports in 1877. However, the industry began to decline due to various factors, including the discovery of cheap cultured pearls, the Wall Street crash, and riots by divers. By the 1930s, the industry had collapsed, and most divers switched to the newly founded oil sector.

Today, pearl diving in Bahrain is closed to tourists, but there are plans to reopen it as part of a drive to boost tourism in the Arabian Gulf. Visitors will be able to dive for precious gems and bring home any treasures they find. Bahrain is one of the few places in the world where pearl diving for tourists is regulated, making it a unique and exciting experience for adventurous visitors.

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